Pure Eden is a bold expression of Shiraz from a single vineyard site in the Eden Valley, which was planted by Charles Angas in the 1890s. The vineyard was later owned by the Shiltons from 1911 to 1926; Meakins 1926 to 1929; Roeslers 1929 to 1961; Andretzkes 1961 to 2011 and, now, by the Lindner family. This wine is a reward of these guardians’ efforts for more than 100 years.

This wine is a beautifully ripe Shiraz with rich blackberry  and blueberry flavours and aromas of black olive, cedar, earth and white pepper. Velvety tannins add structure and texture to this wine. Ageing was for 24 months in French oak, 47% new and the balanced pre-used oak. 

Langmeil is owned by the Lindner family, which has been making wine for six generations in the Barossa Valley.

Ripe powerful aromas of blackberries combine with black olives and spice in this great expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from South Australia. The wine is deep crimson with aromas of lifted berries, spicy oak and a medium body.

A keeper for at least a decade and also drinks well now, decanted for two to three hours and served in large glasses to accentuate its ripe dark fruity flavour spectrum.

Langmeil is owned by the Lindner family, which has been making wine for six generations in the Barossa Valley.

South Africa makes some great wines and this new Cabernet is not to be missed. Full bodied, dry, rich and dark; just like the world's best expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Kaapzicht is a fourth generation winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The winery was founded in 1946.

Holly is a gorgeous dark fruit expression of Pinot Noir made from a blend of grapes grown on top quality vineyard blocks at Matahiwi Estate in the northern Wairarapa. This vintage was a warm, dry one, which produced high quality grapes, which result in this beautifully balanced, full bodied, spicy and dark fruited Pinot Noir. Hand picked grapes and meticulous attention in the vineyard create great raw material which translates into a silky, gorgeous Wairarapa Pinot Noir to drink now. 

Dry Riesling is one of Domaine Rewa's specialities and highlights the lively, succulent flavours of lime zest, lemon notes and white floral aromas that make Riesling one of the world's great white grape varieties. 

This refreshing wine also highlights the greatness of Central Otago as a great Riesling region. 

A laid back Pinot Noir with structure and a sense of lightness as the wine glides across the palate. 

This is made by winemaker Julian Richards, who buys grapes from Dog Point Vineyard's home black, the Ashmore Vineyard; an organically certified site. 

This wine is aged in older French oak puncheons (300 litres) for the 60 per cent of the wine with the balance in stainless steel. 

Whole bunch fermentation and foot crushing in tanks is followed by wild yeast fermentation to create interesting savoury flavours in the wine, which highlights a sense of smoothness and drinkability now and will hold for the next three to four years. 

Celestia is the apt name for one of Martinborough's most structured, serious and age worthy Pinot Noirs made using 100% whole bunch fermentation, a technique that adds structure and depth to the wine. This is the first vintage of this wine is from the superlative 2020 vintage and name comes from the big sky views from Big Sky Vineyard in Te Muna Valley, Martinborough. Celestia Pinot Noir is made with 100% whole bunch fermentation in seasoned puncheons with ageing for two years. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered. The result is a very perfumed wine with aromas of rosehips, black tea, black fruit and undergrowth, with a dense and dark palate, fine tannins and a satiny texture.

The Big Sky story

Jeremy Corban and Katherine Jacobs founded Big Sky Wines in the Te Muna Valley, Martinborough, in 2005. They have since expanded their small vineyard, which is predominantly planted in Pinot Noir.

From an exceptional single site on Te Muna Road, the estate grown Pahi Vineyard is an individual site selection Pinot Noir sourced from designated rows on the famed Martinborough Terrace.

Winemaker's Notes

The Pahi Vineyard is situated on Te Muna Road adjacent to the Escarpment Vineyard. Planted in 2003, the site possesses the same alluvial, free draining gravel soils which has made Martinborough famous. The fruit for this wine was hand-picked over two days with the final wine comprised of clones 114, 115, Cl5 and Abel, giving a diverse array of flavours and a unique expression. The fruit was open top fermented in traditional cuvees, using indigenous yeast and hand plunged just once a day, with a total vat time of 25 days. After pressing it was matured in 25% new French oak barriques for 20 months. Bottled without fining or filtration, promoting soft mouth feel and texture. 

Tasting

This is an outstanding example of classic Martinborough Pinot Noir, that showcases the very best of Te Muna Road. It leaps from the glass with bright red fruits, wild herbs, and gamey notes. It is incredibly lifted and perfumed, underpinned with savoury spice and charcuterie. The palate is medium weight with plush velvet-like plump fruit and a juicy profile. Subtle oak use adds complexity but keeps the focus on the fruit. A fine acid line amongst soft silky tannins completes the finish. It will continue to develop for up to 15 years. Complement to any game meat or roast BBQ duck. Serve at 16°C.

"Pahi has a long track record and is arguably the most impressive Pinot Noir in the Escarpment stable today." Joelle Thomson, 2023

This wine is firm, full bodied and full of fruit character with black cherries and spice leading the flavour notes here. This great southern red from winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis at Rockburn in Central Otago. Five clones of Pinot Noir (10/5, 5, 6, Abel, 115 and 777) were harvested from two sub regions of Otago; Gibbston and Parkburn then fermented in large open tonne fermenters with the finished wine spending 10 months in French oak, 33% new. 

Serious and structured Pinot Noir from one of Martinborough's oldest wineries and a tiny vineyard. This beautiful young wine is all about dry, savoury and earthy flavours balanced by vibrant ripe dark cherry fruit and spicy depth. It's a great drink now and will age superbly for up to 10 years. 

Roger Parkinson is was one of the first winemakers in Martinborough and produces this exceptional Pinot Noir from a small 0.8 hectare vineyard known as Lease Block, which is situated on Huangarua Road. This is Martinborough?s golden mile of wineries and vineyards. The small site was planted in 1999 in 100% Pinot Noir clone 5, 115, and 10/5.This wine is made with 15% whole bunch fermentation, maceration for 22 days and maturated in French oak, 33% new for 20 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, this wine is vegan friendly.

Under the direction of Chief Winemaker, John Kavanagh, the Te Kairanga winemaking philosophy places a premium on the character of the site. The grapes are harvested block by block and vinified individually with punch-downs and gentle pressing to ensure full extraction without sacrificing elegance. Balanced oak treatment and minimal fining and filtration help preserve both varietal character and the inimitable personality of the terroir.

Viticulture 

Grapes sourced from our own Fromm Vineyard (5.1%), from Churton Vineyard in the Waihopai Valley (18.8%) and from two sites in the Brancott Valley, Yarrum (25.4%) and Wrekin (50.7%). No herbicides, pesticides or systemic fungicides used. Only approved natural fertiliser applied. All vineyards certified organic (BioGro).  

Winemaking 

Hand-picked between March 16th and 31st. 100% destemmed while retaining a high portion of whole berries. Selected parcels from each vineyard were individually fermented on “wild” yeast and vinified into single vineyard wines, providing the blending components for this Cuvée. Average time on skins between 14 and 28 days. Matured for approximately 14 to 18 months in French oak barrels (less than 10% new). 

Wine facts

Grape variety  Pinot Noir

Bottled   March 2022 under cork at FROMM Winery

Labelled and packed at FROMM Winery

Production  7044 bottles and 18 magnums

Cellaring potential 2036

Winemaker  Hätsch Kalberer

Store   10° – 14° Enjoy   16° – 18° 

Wine analysis  Alcohol   13.5%

Total acidity  4.6 g/l pH   3.63

Residual sugar  less than 1 g/l 

Winemaker’s comments - Dense, deep red colour. The nose is concentrated yet fragrant with dark fruit aromas, complex, focused and very expressive. On the palate again concentration without being heavy. An elegant Pinot Noir with beautiful transparency, excellent structure and tension and very fine tannin support in the finish, reflecting one of our most exciting vintages since 2010. 

Food match - Beautiful with venison, wild game, beef, lamb, vegetarian dishes, cheese and charcuterie, chocolate, raspberries and strawberries.

The evocative name Ruru pays homage to the native Moreporks, whose haunting call can be heard in the vineyard in which the grapes in this wine grow. This is a gorgeous expression of dry Pinot Gris from Central Otago, a region that is well suited to top notch examples of this white grape variety. The cool climate suits this grape well, resulting in refreshingly crisp examples.